Philosophy #4 · 12:47am Feb 23rd, 2013
It's Friday again, and you know what that means.... TIME FOR MY WEEKLY PHILOSOPHY!
Hey....I just realized... Philosophy Fridays. These things now have a name.
In any case, let's get started!
Now...for the past few weeks, a question has been bothering me. No matter what I do, it keeps on coming back to bother my thoughts.
The question itself is a bit...disturbing...to tell you the truth, but it just won't leave me alone.....
What is the best way to die?
Now don't get me wrong here. I am NO WAY suicidal. I mean...it doesn't even start with "Why"! (Check my first Philosophy, "Thoughts...", on my user page for details)
This question has practically plagued me for what seems like ages now. And I simply can't answer it. The best way I can TRY to answer it though...
Is by comparing life to a book.
Honestly? I do this a lot nowadays. It just seems...easier that way. Thinking of life as a book.
When we are first born, that's our "Introduction" into the world. New sights. New smells. New sensations that we will never forget. Our "Introduction" takes up only a few pages in our "Books". But so much can happen in that time. The first chapter of our lives don't really start until we turn at least one years old. Subsequently, the next chapter starts when we turn two. And three. And so on.
Like a chapter in a book, a lot can happen in a year. People come and go throughout our lives. Certain events help change our perspectives...for better or for worse. And sometimes we find a reason to be ourselves. Our own plot device to shape our lives.
Sometimes though, again like a chapter, nothing happens. A simple year with simple troubles.
Personally, I have a relatively simple life with a simple family. I may have ambitions to get a great job, but doesn't everybody? Unlike some people I know, I have a good life. No divorce. No terrible family deaths that really hurt me. No disfigured body parts, unless you count my brain, seeing as I may or may not be slightly insane.
I'd tell you my life is boring at this point, but that is where I switch directions. I have had a hard time with family issues. I have had a near death tragedy with a close family member. I was even born overseas, on a holiday. This makes my life more...interesting. For my story is unique. It's different. My book might even be considered adventurous.
I have to admit though...I did used to have suicidal notions when I was younger...but that's behind me now. My personal "Tragedy" is at an end.
Which brings us back to life as a book. You never know what will happen when next you turn the page. You could find yourself struggling with homework. You could end up finding your one true love. You could be fighting your arch nemesis in a video game.
You could even die.
What is the best way to die?
We never know what will happen next in our lives. We can guess, but we will never truly know. I might be hit by a car tomorrow. You might choke on a hamburger.
We just don't know.
When it comes to write the final page in your book, what will you do? Better yet, why will you do it?
THERE'S that "Why". Been looking for that.
In all seriousness, death is the big unknown. There is a quote that I like, that may help answer that question though.
"There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
John 15:12
I leave you with my thoughts on an interesting question. The next Philosophy Friday might be just as interesting.
That is also a really cool name I came up with.
Think Freely my Friends
Ahhh.... To die old, in your bed, as you rest your weary head?
Or to die young and still free, in the air or at sea?
These are things we don't speak.
To fight in a war so we might face death, or leave the war to others, to keep our health.
To die poor, alone, together, with wealth? What does that matter, after we're gone? A poor man's pocket can be robbed just as well as a rich man's, and when you die, your pocket's as well as open.
There is no truly better way to die. Whether it's sudden, or if it takes years, when it comes down to it, all you must ask yourself is this: Are you content? Not happy. You could be completely mad at the world, and still be content, at peace with yourself. When you draw your last breath, say your last farewells, are you truly ready? Are you leaving a lasting impression on those you leave behind, or are you alone, even in your final moments? That is what really matters, not how wealthy you were. Not how grandiose your death was. If I die in a car crash tomorrow, will I be satisfied with my life? Probably not. With that in mind, I'll just make sure I don't die tomorrow, in such a way.
856555
Nicely said. I like how you answered that question. I swear it's been giving me a headache all week. Last week too.
856638 Heh, no worries, man. I've been caught in a bout of depression for a while now, and even when I'm having fun, I still feel as such. Katawa Shoujo helped me out of it for a bit, but I'm slowly sinking again.
I ate three carrots, just about ten minutes ago. First thing I've eaten in two days. Maybe longer. I dunno. I just feel so... tired.
856850
I stay up close or past midnight on a regular basis. Sleep is important, but internet is addicting.
Also, I thought more people would look at this. Maybe I jumped the wagon a bit early or something? Oh well. It doesn't matter. I starte writing these things on a whim. Simple, yet thought provoking.
857308 Insomnia sucks, man. I can not sleep for days, but even when I do sleep I feel exhausted.
Philosophy Fridays? I think I just earned a lisp.
One of the best quotes of the whole Bible, but may I encourage you:
"I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that."
2 Corinthians 11:1
857400 That is an interesting quote. Very nice.
857356 Maybe you should see a doctor about that. And if you already have, then maybe some sleeping pills will help?
857635 I did a sleep study, but my sleep patterns are within the range of "normal". Apparently, 2 out of 3 studies with 6 hours of sleep, and the third with only 3 even out to be normal. I drank a 5-hour Energy once and fell asleep at the top of the stairs. Woke up an hour later at the bottom, my head and ankle hurting. I've used those as a sleep agent every now and again, but sleep meds don't work for me. Don't know why, really, though I blame it on my strange mix of mental abnormalities.
I've joked about it from time to time but I'd like to die laughing in my death bed... not hysterically but rather knowing that at the end of it all I had lived a good life and can therefore afford to have one last laugh, or smile at the very least.
(Now I just need to actually live a fulfilling life. Just being in College is hardly an accomplishement for me, I need to go much further than that.
)